Fansided

Every team’s biggest surprise in training camp 2019

By William Schneiderhan

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 15: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins warms up before a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 15: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins warms up before a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 08: Cleveland Browns linebacker Mack Wilson (51) at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter of the National Football League preseason game between the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns on August 8, 2019, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 08: Cleveland Browns linebacker Mack Wilson (51) at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter of the National Football League preseason game between the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns on August 8, 2019, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens

Anthony Levine, S

The Baltimore Ravens won the division with a 10-6 record. However, there has been a lot of roster change since then. Key starters have gone elsewhere, but the likes of Mark Ingram and Earl Thomas were signed to replenish some of what was lost.

Although, a veteran safety has been catching eyes in camp. His name? Anthony Levine. He has been around since 2012, playing parts of multiple seasons with the Ravens.

Levine is now 32 years old, but he has been making plays in training camp and he may find himself a spot on this team. One of his training camp highlights occurred when he picked off a pass and returned it for a 30-yard score.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, DE

Even with all the off-field distractions and possible toxicity in the locker room, the Pittsburgh Steelers almost crept into the playoffs. Le’Veon Bell sat out the whole year, but James Conner filled in well and JuJu Smith-Schuster had a breakout season.

Defensively, they got to the quarterback a lot, collecting a league-leading 52 team sacks. Olasunkanmi Adeniyi has a real chance to help inflate that number further in 2019.

Adeniyi has been the best player in camp for the Steelers. Wearing James Harrison’s old number of 92, he has shown of his work rate and athleticism.

At the young age of 21 years old, Adeniyi played his college football at Toledo. Last season, he saw little to no action with the Steelers, but that probably won’t be the case after his strong camp and first preseason game.

Adeniyi only had two tackles during the first preseason game, however he was shedding blocks and making things happen in the backfield.

Cleveland Browns

Mack Wilson, LB

For the first time in what felt likes ages, the Cleveland Browns played in relevant football games in November and December. After Hue Jackson and Todd Haley were fired, Freddie Kitchens and Gregg Williams led the team on a little late-season surge.

Williams has since left Cleveland for the New York Jets, but Kitchens stuck around after landing the new head coaching gig. This past offseason put the team in position to compete, but some rookies need to step up to fill out the roster.

Honestly, this could have gone to either Mack Wilson or Sione Takitaki. However, Wilson gets the nod as the biggest surprise.

The former Alabama linebacker was known for making plays around the football during his days playing under Nick Saban, intercepting six passes in three seasons. Well, he has brought that to his early days in the NFL, picking off two passes during the team’s first preseason game.

Wilson may have been drafted in the fifth-round, but his skill set might fit in nicely with this current roster.

Cincinnati Bengals

Michael Jordan, OL

Cincinnati went 6-10, which prompted a long-awaited coaching change for the Bengals. Marvin Lewis left and in came Zac Taylor. Now, the team has limited expectations, which means more chances for rookies and other players.

When you have a name like Michael Jordan, there is a good chance you’re going to catch a lot of attention. In this case, Michael Jordan of the Cincinnati Bengals, one of those rookies getting a chance to play, has done that.

Jordan played at Ohio State, and then the Bengals jumped up to draft him in the fourth-round. During camp, he got time with the starters and looks to be a strong contender for the number-one left guard role.